Grand Island Casino Resort

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Elite Casino Resorts has opened Nebraska’s first full-scale casino resort with the $185 million Grand Island Casino Resort at E. Stolley Park Rd in Grand Island. Celebrated with a grand opening on April 10, 2025, the development marks a milestone for the state, combining a luxury resort experience with gaming—something made possible by Nebraska voters approving casino gambling at horse tracks.

The casino resort features 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a sportsbook and the state's first live poker room, delivering a full range of gaming options. It’s not just about gambling, though. Guests can enjoy multiple dining choices, including top-floor fine dining at Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood. The venue also includes a lively sports bar, a show lounge highlighting local and regional entertainers, an outdoor entertainment space that overlooks the Fonner Park horse track, and upscale amenities like a salon and full-service spa.  

The 116-room boutique hotel adds to the resort’s appeal, offering comfort and style for overnight guests. An indoor-outdoor pool with a large deck creates a relaxing environment, while the on-site gift shop adds convenience, and a banquet facility accommodating up to 200 guests is ideally suited for special events. Grand Island Casino Resort is more than a casino—it's a destination, setting a new standard for entertainment and hospitality in Nebraska.

Already responsible for a trio of gaming and resort destinations in Iowa, including in Iowa City, Davenport, and Larchwood, and a recently opened casino resort in Southern Illinois. Elite Casino Resorts expects the Grand Island, Nebraska property to be completed in 2023. 

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Poker at Grand Island Casino Resort

Grand Island Casino Resort Poker Room

Nebraska's only poker room offers a variety of casino games, such as 1/2 No Limit Hold'Em, 7 days a week. 

Dining & Restaurants

22 & Vine

• Serving: Cafe/Variety

Casual, hip, and full of flavor, 22 & VINE at Grand Island Casino Resort is your all-day dining destination. Open seven days a week, it's the perfect spot whether you’re in the mood for a hearty breakfast, light lunch, or satisfying dinner. Start your day with favorites like the Chicken Fried Breakfast, fresh omelets, or the Grand Island Breakfast. For lunch and dinner, enjoy savory appetizers, big salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and hearty main plates—plus irresistible desserts to finish strong.

For quick bites, head to the Café at 22 & VINE, offering gourmet coffee, milkshakes, pastries, pre-made sandwiches and salads, pizza by the slice, and more. Right next door, a full-service bar invites you to unwind with your favorite cocktails, wine by the glass or bottle, and local craft beers on tap. Whether you’re fueling up or kicking back, 22 & VINE delivers fresh flavors and a welcoming vibe from morning to night.

Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood

• Serving: Seafood, Steakhouse, Contemporary American

Ruthie’s Steak & Seafood at Grand Island Casino Resort delivers a high-end dining experience where flame-grilled perfection meets refined taste. Located on the top floor of the hotel, this American steakhouse offers stunning views of Grand Island through dramatic window walls that flood the space with natural light, especially at sunset.

The menu showcases the finest cuts of Midwest beef and fresh seafood, prepared with care and elevated by local ingredients, house-made butters, and rich, decadent sauces. Signature entrées like the filet marmalade, Maryland ribeye, Australian lobster tails, Chilean sea bass, and prime rib offer bold, memorable flavors.

Begin your meal with Ruthie’s signature pheasant civet, shrimp cocktail, or a jumbo lump crab cake. Add a family-style salad or side to complete your table.

To complement the cuisine, enjoy an extensive selection of wines—curated to be among the best in Nebraska—as well as craft cocktails, local lagers, and ales. Ruthie’s is open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m.

Draft Day Sports Lounge

• Serving: Bar/Pub

Draft Day Sports Lounge at Grand Island Casino Resort is the ultimate spot for sports fans. With a full-service bar and restaurant, wall-to-wall HDTVs, and the best sports viewing experience in the area, it’s the place to be on game day. Enjoy local brews and a menu packed with sports bar favorites while cheering on your favorite team or athlete. Planning a draft party or group event? Draft Day has you covered. The bar is open seven days a week, with food service available Thursday through Saturday. There’s always something on deck at Draft Day!

Café at 22 & VINE

• Serving: Cafe/Variety

For quick bites, head to the Café at 22 & VINE, offering gourmet coffee, milkshakes, pastries, pre-made sandwiches and salads, pizza by the slice, and more. Right next door, a full-service bar invites you to unwind with your favorite cocktails, wine by the glass or bottle, and local craft beers on tap. Late night hours.

Grand Island Casino Resort Venues & Hotspots

Show Lounge

The Show Lounge at Grand Island Casino Resort is your home for local and regional entertainment. Spotlighting talented performers from across the area, the lounge offers live music and entertainment in an inviting, high-energy setting. Best of all—there’s no cover charge. Whether you're looking to kick back with a drink or dance the night away, the Show Lounge delivers a fun, laid-back vibe with great music and zero entry fees. It’s the perfect place to cat(308) 675-ch a show and keep the night going.

Meeting & Event Space

Grand Island Casino Resort features a spacious banquet facility that can accommodate up to 200 guests for receptions, conferences, etc. Its meeting and event space offers unmatched versatility in the heart of Nebraska. Located within the 220-acre Fonner Park Complex, the Heartland Events Center (HEC) is the region’s go-to venue for concerts, entertainment, sports, conventions, and trade shows. Its Eihusen Arena hosts major annual events, while the adjacent Bosselman Conference Center provides top-tier space for meetings, wedding receptions, and banquets of all sizes.

Connected to the Fonner Park Race Track and nearly 500,000 square feet of exhibition and livestock facilities, this location offers a one-of-a-kind setting with amenities few venues in the region can match.